Holmes County farmer. [volume], February 23, 1860, Image 1

About Holmes County farmer. [volume] (Millersburg, Ohio) 1857-1926

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'iT
ESTABLISHED A. D. 1820.
MILLERSBUIIG, OHIO, THURSDAY MORNING, FEBRUARY 23, 1SGO.
NEW SERIES-VOL. 22, NO. 1.
Poetry.
From the New York Waverley.
This is a Cold and Dreary World.
BY FINLEY JOHNSON.
This Is a cold and dreary world,
Where I am living nowi
For grief nd cm are stumped npon
Mv hot and throlbinK brow;
Ami though my lienrt U young iu years,
Yet sorrow's seal is there;
And in in deepest, dm kest cells,
Hu ever, dwells despair.
The friends I loved In t arty years.
Wave sank unto then rest;
They now repose in quietness
I'pon the enrlh's cold breast)
They he gone downward to the tomb,
Like brillinnt stars that fill,
Throwing around each stricken heart,
A scd and funeral pall.
1 turn away my weeping eves
From oft the happy dead,
To seek for Joys within the world,
Hut find their Joys have fled;
1 often weep fur my heart feels
The pntiRS of keen regret;
Though triends are lost, and joys hare Hea,
My soul on ne'er forget.
But when the storms of life are o'er,
When they have ceased to blow;
When sorrow's waves shall all be still,
And shall no longer Bow,
I then ohitll meet those friends,
On God's ambrosial shore;
I then shall taste these endless joys,
Which shall decay no morn.
Is It Any Body's Business!
The following lines, from the Ficayunr, are
pertinent to some impertinent porsou iu nearly
every community;
Is It any body's business,
If a gentleimm should choose
To wait upon a lady,
If the liidy don't refuse t
Or, to speak a little plainer,
Thnt the meaning all may know,
Is It onv body's buniness
If a lady has a beau?
Is It any body's business
Wheu that gentleman does call,
Or when lie leaves the lady,
- Or il he leaves at all?
Or is it necessary
That the curtains should be drawn,
To save from further trouble
The outside lookers on?
Is it an)' body's business
But the lady's, if her beau
Rides out with other ladies,
And doesn't let her know?
Is It any body's business
but tins gi-ntleuiau's, if she
Should h.u e another escort,
Where he doesn't dunce to be?
If a person's on the sidewalk,
Whether great or whether small,
Is It any boiiy's business
Where that person means to call?
Or if you see a person
As he's calling any where,
Is it any of your business
What his business may be there?
Tho subject of our query
biiuply stated would be this
Is it any body's business
What nuufirr't buniness is?
If It is, or it it isn't
We would really like to know,
For we'er certain if il Isn't,
Tucro are some who make It so.
If it is, we'll join the rabble,
And act the uoble part
Of tiiu lutilers and detainers,
Whu liming the public mart;
But if not, we'll net tho teacher,
Until each meddler learns
It were better in tin.' future
To mind his onu concerns.
Interesting Cale.
DEBBY WILDER;
DEBBY WILDER;-OR-
THE HUNDRED DOLLAR NOTE.
BY BERA SMITH.
There lived, a lew years ago, in the
interior oi olio ot t ho middle States, a
sturdy farmer, well-to-do in the world,
by the name of William Wilder. He hail
wandered away from Yankee laud in hi
younger days, to seek his loi tune; and hav
ing been employed liy u respectable Qu ik
er, to woik on hia I'm in, he had connived
by true Yankee adroitness, to gut the af
fections of the old man's daughter, and
married her. His wile, having espoused
one of the woild's people, contrary to tho
rules of her order, was, of course, "read
out of the society;" if anything, he full a
little rejoiced at it, for liu thought it seemed
to bring her a little neater to him.
Mrs. Wilder, however, never overcame
the habit which hod grown up with her
ehildlood and youth; she always called
her husband William, ami continued
through life to speak tho (junker dialect.
But thin from her lips, wits never ungrate
ful or unwelcome to William's ears; for
one of the sweetest sounds that eer dwelt
in his memory, was when he asked her a
certain question, and her reply was:
"William, the has my heart already,
ml my hand shall he rhino whenever thee
may be pleased to take it."
William Wilder was a thrifty and stir
ring man, ami in a few years he found
himself the owner (if a good fat in, ami
was going ahead in tho woi Id as fast an
the best of Uu uuighhor. Nor has the
whole sum ut his lurtutie yet been stated.
He) wax blest with a daughter; a blight,
rosy-cheeked, healthy, romping girl, lull
of lite and spiiits, and, iu hi-, eyes, ex
ceedingly beautiful. The daughter at the
period which is now more paiticulailv
described had reached the ape of eighteen
veers, and was an ohjoot of engrossing
love to hor parents, and of geneial atten
tion to the ueighboihood.
"There's that Jo N.l,r alongside of
Debby again," said Mr. Wilder to his
wife rsther pettishly. they camo out
of nhurch nno warm summer afternoon,
and commenced their walk homeward.
"I wish he wouldn't make himself quite
o thick." 1
"Well now, my doar. I think thee has
ft little too much feeling about it," re
turned Mrs. Wilder. "Voting folks like
to tie together, and Joseph is a clover and
respectable young man; nobody ever says
a word against him."
Yea, he's too clever to be worth any
thing," said Wilder, "and he'll yet take
It into bit bead, if he basu't already, to
coax Debhy to marry him. I've no idea 1
hor marrying a pauper; I've worked too
liard for what little property I've got toj
be willing to see it go to feed u vagabond,
w ho never earned anything, end never I
Will.
Wirt!)
ti.....
I don't believe Joe will ever be
a hundred dollars as long as he
"My dear, I think thee little too hard
npon .Joseph; thee should remember that
he is but just out of his time. His father
has been sick several years, anil Joseph
has almost entirely suppotted the whole
family."
Oil. I don't deny but He a clover
enough," said Mr. Wilder; "all in, I don't
like to see him quite no thick along with
Debby. How should you feel to see him
married to DeMiy, and not worth a deceut
suit of clothes?"
"I should feel," said Mrs. Wilder, "as
though they were Halting in life as we
did tt hnn we wee hrt married. We had I
decent clothes, and each of us a good pair!
of lutnds, and that was all wo hail to start
with. 1 don't think we should have gut
along any better, or been any happier, if
thee had been worth a hundred thousand
dollars when we vcre married."
This argument came with such force to
Wilder's own bokom that he made no at
. ,n it Km wli,rl In .il....,-. I
till they reached their dwelling. Debby J
and iloNoph had arrived tliBie before them, I
and were already seated in the parlor.
Seeing Joseph as they passed the window,
v ildur chose not to go in, but continued
his walk up the road to the high ground
that overlooked some ol his fields, where
he stood ruminating for half an hour on
the prospect of his crops, ami more par
ticularly upon the unpleasant subject ol
Debby and Joe Nelson. The young man
became so familiar and so much at home
at his house, that ho could hardly doubt
there was a strong attachment growing
up between him and Debby, and he began
to fuel very uneasy about it. He had al
ways beon fond ol Debhy, and her presence
was so necessary to his happiness,- that
the idea of her marrying at all was a sad
thought to him; but if she must marry,
ho was determined it should be, if possi
ble, to a person of Komo proporty, who
would at once place her in a coml'oi table
situation iu life, and relieve him from the
foolish anxiety, so common in tlio world,
lest his own estate should be dishonored
by family connections not equal to it.
While he remained there in his musinu
mood, he recognized Henry Miller coming
down the road, and he resolved at oncu
to take him to supper. Miller was a dash
ing young fellow, who kept a store About
a mile and a half from Wilder's, and was
reported to be worth five or six thousand
dollars. He had heretofore been a fre
quent visitor at Mr. Wilder's house, and
tlieie was a time his attention to Debby
ww suca as to cause him to expect that
the thrifty young truder would become
his son-in-law. Debby. Jiowever, was
not sufficiently pleased with him to en
courage his attentions, and for some lime
past his visits had been discountenanced.
"Good afternoon, Mr. Miller," said
Mr. Wilder, presenting his hand, ''glad
to sen you, how do you do ? fine day
this."
"Yes, fine day," said Miller, "excel
lent weathor for crops; how do you all do
at home?"
"Quite well; I thank yon," said Wil
der. "Come, go down to the house with
me and take suppor," said he.
Miilur colored, and said ho did not
think he could stop. Mr. Wilder, how
ever, would not take no far an answer,
and, on considerable importunity, ho pro
vailed upon him to accept his invitation,
and they decendod the hill together, and
went into the house.
"Debby, here's Miller," said Wilder,
as they entered the parlor.
Dubby rose, handed a chair, and said
"good evening," but her lace w as covered
with blushes as she returnud to her seat.
As Miller seated himself in the chair he
glanced across the room and recognized
Nelson. Tho two young men nodded to
each other, and both seemed somewlut
embarrassed.
At this moment Mrs. Wilder entered
the room.
"How does thee do, Henry," she said
presenting her hand. "1 am glad to see
thee; I hope thy mother is well."
"Voiy well, indeed," said Miller, and
after a few move remarks she retired to
superintend the preparation for siippor.
"Lxeuse me, Mr. Miller, a littlW while,"
said Wilder; "I want to go and show
Joseph that hold u corn ol mine we wuic
looking at back of the hill. Ai-i-oiding
to my notion, it is tho stoutest piece in
the town. (Junto, Joseph, aa up and
look at it."
"1 think it is the stoutest piece I've
seen this year," said Joseph; "1 saw it
about a week ago."
"Oh, it tins guind amazingly within a
week," said Mr. Wilder; "come, go up
and take a look at it."
Joseph was altogether ni.aecustomed to j
such attention liom Mr. Wilder, and he
ooked not a little contused as ho took
hat and lollowod him to the door. j
They went up the loud, and Mr. Wil-
der took him all round the hel l of grow-1
iug corn, and examined hill after hill, and
looked into the other buhls; and louml a
bundled things to stop and look at, audi
talked more to Joseph than he had for
six months. Joseph suspected that his
walk was undertaken by Mr, Wilder for
the piispose of leaving Miller and Debby
iu the room together, but he bord it all
patiently, ami answered all Mr. Wilder's
reinai ks about the weuthor, his crops, and
hie fields, with apparent interest; tor be
know too well the state of Dobby's foel -
iiigs both towards himself ami towards
Miller, to feel any uneasiness. At length
Mr. Wilder concluded supper must be
nearly ready, and they returned to the
House. Un entering the parlor they found
.inner wone, leading a newspaper.
VI. Il'll I I , ,
Mr. Wilder looked vexed.
"What! all alone. Mr. Miller?
raid
Wilder; "1 shouldn't have staid so long,
but 1 thought Dubby would amuse you
until we got back."
"Miss Debby bad some engagement
that rotpnired her attention," said Miller,
"aud naked to be excused; but 1 have
to
to
I
is
a
!
t
;
'
j
j
j
j
,
found myself quite interested in the news
of paper."
Wilder went out and met his wife 111
the hall, and asked her how long it had
been since Debby loft Mr. Miller aloue in
,nme, her the bridle, and shortened the
K,jm,,, leather, and buckled the girth a
jule tighter to prevent the saddle's tum
ble j,,K u,i u K,n ,H lH,i heerl tmit ,i WM
light, he stepped into the house and
brought out a small riding whip and
placed it in her hand, and giving her a
hundred charges to take care of herself,
ami be careful she did not get a fall, he
the pailor
"She left in three minutes after you
went out," aid Mrs. Wilder, "and 1
couldn't persuade her to go back again.
She said hlie knew you went out on pur
pose to leave her and Henry alone togeth
er, and she would not stay. It'a no use,
William, these things always have their
own way, and it's no use trying to pre
vent it."
The supper pastolT rather silently and
rather awkwardly. Mr. Wilder endeav
ored to be sociable and polite to Miller;
nil Mrs. Wilder, as usual, was mild and
complacent to all. Hut an air of etnbar-
rassment pervaded the whole company,
and when they rose liom the table Henry
Miller asked to be excused, and said it
was time for him to return homewards. I
Mr. Wilder endeavored to persuade him !
stop and spend the evening, but Henry j
was decided ami said he muni go. Alter,
had gone, Debby and Joseph returned
the parlor, where they were joined a
part of the evening by Mrs. Wilder. Wil-
81 ' waiKing P " "8
.. II- 1 1 .1 I
room lor an Hour or two, retired to ue-i,
not howsver to sleep
His mind was too
milch Piio-msned with the destiny of Debbv
to allow repose. Ho counted the hours
as they were to! I'd by the clock till it had
struck twelve. Mrs. W. had been two
hours asleep, still he had not heard Jo
seph go out. After a while the clock
struck one, and in a few minutes aftor
that he heard tho outer door rather softly
opened and closed, and then heaid Debby
tripping lightly to hor chamber.
"Ah," thought Wilder to himself, "it
as my wife says, these things will have
their own way. This staying till one o'
clock looks like rut Iter serious business."
The next day Debby had a long private
interview with her mother, and alter din
ner Mrs. Wilder wished to have some
conversation with ber husband in the
parlor.
"Well, my dear," said she, "Debhy
and Joseph ate bunt upon being married.
It seems that they made up their minds
to it some mouths ago, and now they have
fixed upon the time. They say they must
be mariied week alter next. Now 1 think
we had better fall in with it in as good
feelings as we can, and uiako the best ol
it. '1 lice well knows 1 have always said
these things will have their own way,
and when young folks get their minds
made up, 1 don't think it is a good plan
to inlerture with them. As long as Jo
seph is respectable and good to woik, 1
think we ought to feel contented about it,
although he is poor. It seems to me
that there are as many folk that many
poor that make out well in the world a-1,
there are thut marry rich."
After a little retleution upon the matter,
Wilder came to the conclusion that his
wife had nearly tho right of it, and told
her he would make no further opposition
to the match; they might get raurried as
soon as they chose.
"Well, my dear," said Mrs. Wilder,
"Debby needs a little change to get some
things with this week, iu order to get mar
ried." "How much will the want this week?"
said Mr. Wilder.-
"If thee can let her hae fifteen or twen
ty dollars," t,aid Mrs. Wilder, "1 thiuk
would do for the present."
"Well, now, I've no money by me,"
said Mr. Wilder, "except a hundred dol
lar bill, and it s impossible to get that
changed, except by sending to the bank,
distance ol ten miles. 1 tried all over
the neighborhood lust week to get it
changed, but couldn't succeed. I shull bo
too busy to go myself to-morrow, but if
Debby has a mind to get on the old horse,
in the morning, and take the bill to the
bank and get it changed, she may have
some oi the money."
This proposition was soon reported to
Debby, who said, "she had just as leave
take the ride as not." The matter being
tints amicably arranged with Mr. W ildor,
there was nothing to hinder going forward
with comfort and despatch iu making
preparations for the wedding. Hobby
was in excellent spirits, and Mr. Wilder
was in unusual good humor towards Deb
by. Having brought his mind to assent
to theuriaiigeiiieut which he had so strong
ly opposed, his leelings weie in a state of
reaction, which causod him to regard
Debby with uncommon tenderness.
Tho next muming tho old grey horse
was standing at the door eating proven
der, full two hours before Debby was
ready to sturt; and Mr. Wilder hud been
out half a dozen times to examine the
saddle end bridle, to see that eveiylliiug
was right, and ha I lilted up his' horse's
feet one altei another, all round, to see
il any of the shoes were loose. And when
at lust Dubby was ready, he led old g e
to the horse block, and held Hi tit until she
Wild knlnil ill tiiti kaibllu anil tin it, li..
stepped up on the horse block, and stood
and watched her as she turned into the
rend and ascended the hill till she was out
of sight.
Debby trotted alonor leisurely over the
long road she hud to travel; but she was
too full of pleasant thotmhta and luiitUt
anticipations to feel weary at the distance
or lonely at the solitude. The road was
but littie traveled, and she met but two
persona i it the whole distance one as
she was ascending a hill about a mile from
home, and the other in a long valley of
daik woods, midway on her journey
Had she been of a timid disposition, the
would have felt a good deal of uneasiness
wheu she saw this lst person approaching
her. liis appearance was dark and ruffian-
y, ami ttiey were two runes irom any
house, in the midst of a deep and silent
wilderness. But Debby'i nerves were un
movod; she returned his bow in passing,
and kept on her way in perfect composure.
. 1 a
She reached the end of her journey in
due time hitched ber horse in the shed
at the village hotel, and inquired of the
waiter at the door the way to tho bank.
A he was pointing out to her its location,
she observed a tall, daik looking man,
with dark whiskers and heavy eyebrows,
looking steadily at her. She, however,
turned away without noticing him any
farther, and went direct to the bank.
When she reached the door she found it
closed, and learned from the bystanders
that the bank, for some reason or other,
was closed that day. In her exceeding
disappointment, she stood silent for some
time, uncertain what she should do.
"Is there anything I can do for you,
Miss?" said a gentleman at the adjoining
shop door.
Debby replied that she wanted to change
bill at the bank.
"Oh, I'll change it foron," eaidtbe
gentleman, "if it isn't too large come,
step in here."
She accordingly stepped into the store,
and giving him many thanks, handed him
the bill.
"Oli, a hundred dollars!" said he. "I
cannot do it; 1 haven't half that amount
in the store. But if you go across there
to the apothecary's I thiuk it likely
enough he may do it."
Debby thunked him again, and went
across to the apothecary's. Here she
made known her wishes, but with no bet
ter success. As she turned to go out, she
encountered a man behind her, who seem
ed to have been looking over her shoulder.
bits looked up at In in and recognized
the tall man with black whiskers, whom
he had noticed at the hotel. Leaving
the druggist's, she observed a large dry
goods store, and thought she would tiy
her luck there, btill she was unsuccess
ful!.
As she was leaving the store, she met
the tall man with black whiskers again.
He looked smilingly at her, and asked
tier to let linn see the bill; lor lie thought
he could chnngo it. Alter looking at it,
ho returned it to her again, observing,
if it had been a city bill ho would have
changed it, but he did not like to change
a couutry bill."
Having tried at two or three places
without affecting her her object, Dobby
found she must give it up, lor she was
now told it probably would not be possi
ble for her to gut it changed till the bank
should be opened the next day. Conse
quently, she concluded to leturn immedi
ately home. As she rode out of the hotel
yard, sbo observed tho tall man with
black whiskers standing at the coiner of
the house, apparently watching her move
ments. But she rode on, and was no
sooner out of sight than he was out of her
mind, for her own perplexing disappoint
ment engrossed all her thoughts. Klio pass
ed over tho sirs! tw Piijits vt lien homeward
journey almost unconscious of the dis
tance, so busily Was she turning over in
her mind vorious expedients to remedy
the failure of her presunt undertaking.
She thought of several of her neighbors
of w hom she thought it might not be im
possible to borrow a low dollars for
short time. Btt then she knew her fath
er was so strenuously j posed to borrow
ing, he would not allow it to be done;
und would never forgive ber should he
iiud out that she bait done it without his
knowledge or consent. Sim might gel
trusted lor most of the articles she wanted
but some of them of the most importance
were ut Henry Miller's store, and she
would not ask to be trusted thorc, if sho
never obtained the articles.
Her reveries were at length broken off
by the sound of a horse coming at rather
a quick trot behind her. She looked over
her shoulder, and there was the tall man
with black whiskers, mounted on a large
and beautiful black horse; within a low
rods ol' her; she shuddered iv little, at first,
at tho idea of having his company through
tho woods, but as hu camo up and accost
ed hor with such easy and gentle manners;
she soon recovered from her trepidation
ami ro le on with her wonted composure.
"Ruther a lonely road hero, Miss," said
the stranger, looking in tho duik woods
that lay in tho y.lley before them. "How
far do you go,.Jjsa?"
"Soxen or eight miles," suid Debby,
hesitating a little.
"1 am happy to have company on the
road," saiil the srtanger, ''for it is rather
lonesome riding alone. I trust you will
allow me to be your protector?
Dubby thanked him, but said she was
never lonesome ami never afraid; still, in
a lonely place, it was always agreeable
to have company.
"Did you make out to get your bill
changed?" asked the struiigM-.
".No, said Debbv. "1 tiled till I was
tiied, but could Iiud no one to change
it."
The stranger made himself very agree
able, ami Debhy benruii to think that her
feelings at liist had done hint injustice,
and she tried what she could to make him
amends by .being social ill her turn. They
had now reached the deepest, darkest part
of the valley through which the road lay.
The heavy woods were about them, and
not a sound was to be heard except the
mnimoiings of a little brook over which
they had just passed. The stranger sud
denly rode to ber side, und seizing the
reins of her bridle, told her at once sho
must give him tho hundred dollar note.
"Now, this is carrying the joke too
far," said Debby, trying to laugh.
"It is no joke at all," said the stran
ger, "we will go no further till you give
me the hundred dollar bill."
Debby trembled and turned pale, for
she thought she saw something in the
stranger's eye that looked aa though he
was in earnest.
"But surely you don't mean any snch
thing?" said Debby, trying to pull the
rein from bis hand. "It'a too bad to
frighten me so hero."
"We musn't dally about it," said the
stranger, holding the lein still tighter;
"you see I am in earnest, by this, draw
ing a pistol front bis pocket, and point
ing it towards her.
"Oh! mercy," said Debby, "yon may
have the money if yon will let me go."
"The money is all I want," said the
strangor,"but there most be no more dally
insr; the sonnnryo'.i ViitH it over the bMf
a
Debby at once drew the bill and at
tempted to band it to the stranger, but
her hand tremblod so that it dropped
from hor fingers just before it reached
his, and at that moment a gust of wind
wafud it gently toward the brook. The
stranger leaped ftom his horse and ran
hack two or three rods to recover it, Deb
by was not so far gone in her fright but
that she had her thoughts about hor; and
seizing the rein of the stranger's horse,
she applied the whip to both horses at
once, and was off' in a canter. The man
called in a loud; threatening tone, and at
once fired his pistol npon her; but as she
did not feel the cold lend, she did not stop
or turn even to give him a farewell look.
The remainder of tlm journey was soon
passed over, and as she came out in the
settlement and passed the dwellings of
her neighbors, many were the heads that
looked from windows and doors, and
great was the wonderment at seeing Deb
hy ride home so fast, and leading such a
lino strange horse. Hor father who had
soon her come over the hill, met her some
rods from the bouse, exclaiming, with
astonishment:
"What have yon bere, Debby? Whose
horse, is that?"
"Debby, what has tbee been doing?"
said Mrs. Wilder, who was but a few
steps behind her husband, "thee doesn't
look well, what is the matter?"
As soon as they were seated in the
house, Debby told them the whole story.
Mr. Wilder felt so rejoiced at his daugh
ter's escape, that he began to be in excel
lent spirits; and led the strange horse to
the door and began to examine him.
"vell, Debhy," said he, "since you ve
got borne safe at last, we may as well be
gin to talk about business. The hundred
dollar bill is gone, but I'm thinking, af
ter all, you haven't made a very bad bar
gain, lliat sthe likeliest horse 1 ve seen
this many a day. - I don't thiuk it would
bo a difficult matter to sell him for two
hundred dollars. At any rate, I'll take
the horse for the hundred dollars, and
von may have the saddle for the twenty
dollars you were to have of it."
"And the saddle bags, too, I suppose,
said Debby, fooling disposed to join in
the joke.
"Yes, and the saddle bags," said Mr.
Wilder; no, stop, we'll see what's in them
first," ho continued, untying them from
the saddle. "Oh, there's lots of shirt
stockings, hankerthiefs, and capital ones,
too. les, Debhy, tho saddle bags are
yours; those things come in very good
time lor Joseph, you know.
Debby colored, but said nothing.
"Now, William," said Mis. Wilder,
"thee is full of thy fun."
"No fun about it," said Wil'iam, re
placing the articles in the leather bag.
"Here, Debby, take 'em and take care of
H1." . 4 I
Debby took the saddle bags to ber
chamber, not a little gratified at the val
uable articles of clothing they contained.
She emptied tho contents upon the bed,
and examining to see if every thing was
out, sho discovered an inside pockot iu
one of the bugs. She opened it and drew
therefrom an elegant pocket book, and
found it contained a qnantity of bills.
She counted them, and her heart beat
quicker and quicker, for before she got
through sho had $1,500 in good bank
money.
Debby kept her own counsel. In a
lew days it was rumored that Joseph Nel
son had purchased an excellent furm in
the neighborhood that had just been offer
ed some mouths fur the sum of $1,000,
aud was considered a great bargain.
"Joseph," said Mr. Wilder the next
timo they met, "I am astonished that
you hsvu been running into debt for a
farm in such times as theso. I think yon
ought to have worked two or three yours
and got something boforehand, before
getting into debt so much."
"But 1 hav'ut been running into debt,"
said Joseph.
"Haven't you bought Sanderson's farm
said Wilder.
"Yes, I have," said Joseph.
"At $1,000?"
"Yes," said Joseph, "but I've paid
for it. I don't run iu debt for anything."
Mr. Wilder was too much astonished
to ask further questions.
Joseph Nelson made an excellent far
mer and a respectable man; he was in
dustrious and got rapidly beforehand,
and Mr. Wilder was always proud of his
son-in-law. It was some ten years alter
this, when Mr. Wilder was silting ono
day and trotting hia third grandson on
his knee, that he suid:
"Dubby, I should like to know bow
Joseph contrived to purchase bis farm at
the time you were married?"
Debby stepped to the closet, brought
out the old suddlo bags, and opening them
pointed to the inner pocket, sayiug, "the
money came from there, sir."
A Mother's 1'aavkr. An exchange
well says: 'The boy who feuls his name is
mentioned in a good mother's prayer is
comparatively safe from vice, aYid the
ruin to which it leads. The sweetest
thoughts that N. V. Willis ever penned
grew out of a reverence to his pious moth
er's prayer for him. Tossed by the waves
in a vessel which was bearing him home
ward, ho wrote:
"Sleep safe, Oh ware-worn mariner,
' Nor fear the night, uor sUirni, nor sea!
The ear of lleareu bends low to her,
Ue onutes to shore who sails with uie."
Boy, IVyr IIkar This! Before you
pay three cents for ajewsharp, see if you
can't make itist as pleasant a noise by
whistling for such, nature furnishes the
machinery. And before yon pay seven
dollars for a figured vest, young man,
find out whether your lady-love would not
be just as glad to see yon in a plain one
that cost half the money. If she wouldn't
let her crack ber own walnuts and buy
ber own clothes.
A country schoolmaster had a bnndred
boys and no assistant. "I wonder how
you manage them," said a friend, "with
odt an assistant." "Ah. sir," was the
answer, "I oonld manage tho bnndred
boys well enough; it's the two hundred
parents wco trotiNe me 'tore s co tnsn-
sg'ie; htm "
I
I
1
Thrilling Eloquence.
The following touching passages are
contained in the speech of the Hon Mr. Bo
teler, delivered in the House en tha 25th
ult. We honor the head and the heart from
which they proceeded. The incidents
narrated cannot fail to moisten every eye
by which they are permed. The language
employed for the purpose is the language
of elevated patriotism:
"The district which I represent, and the
county made famous by the raid of Brown
was the hist in all the south to send suc
cor to Massachusetts. In one of the most
beautiful spots jn that beautiful county,
within rifleshot of my residence, at theba&e
of the hill, where a glorious spring leaps
out into sunlight from beneath the gnarl
ed oak, there assembled on the 10th of
July, 1775, the very first band of South
ern men that marched to the aid of Mas
sachusetts. They met there and thoir ral
lying cry was, "a bee-line for Boston!"
That beautiful and peaceful valley had
never been polluted by the footsteps of a
foe; for even the Indians themselvos kept
it from tho incursions of the enemy. It
was the hunting range and neutral ground
of the aboriginees. This band assembled
there and "a bee-lino for Boston" was
made from thence.
Before they marched, they made a
pledge that all who survived would assem
ble there fifty years after that day. It was
my pride and and pleasure to be present
when the fifty years rolled around. Three
aged, feeble, tottering men the survivors
ot that glorious band of one hundred and
twenty were all who were left to keep
their trust, and prove faithful to the pledge
made fifty years before to their compan
ions, the bones of many of whom were
bleeching on the Northern bills.
Sir, 1 have often heard from the last
survivor of that band of patriots the in
cidents of their first meeting and thuir
march; how they made some six hundred
miles iu twenty days thirty miles a day;
and how as they nested the point of des
tination, Washington, who happened to
be making a reconnoissance in the neigh
hood, saw them approaching, and recog
iiisiugthe linsey woolsey hunting shirts
of old Virginia, rode to meet and greet
them to tho camp, how when lie saw their
captain his old companion in arms,
Stephenson, who stood by bis side at
Great Meadows, on Braddock's fatal field,
and iu many an Indian campaign, aud
who reported himself to his commander
as "from the right bank of the Potomac"
ho sprung from his horse and clasped
his old friend and companion in
arms with both hands. He spoke no
word of welcome, but the eloquence of si
lence told what his tongue could not ar
ticulate. He moved along the ranks,
shaking the hand of each man, and all the
while as my informer tells me; the big
tears were seen coursing down bis manly
cheek. Aye, sir, Washington weptl And
why did tho glorious soul of Washington
swell with emotion? Why did he weep?
Because he saw that the cause of Mas
sachusetts was practically the cause of
Virginia, because he saw that their citi
zens recognized the great principles invol
ved iu tho contest. These Virginia vol
unteers had cumo spontaneously. They
had come in response to the words ol
Henry, that were leaping like live thun
der through the land, telling the people
of Virginia that they must fight, and fight
for Massachusetts. They had come to
rally by Washington's side, to defend
your fathers' firesides, to protect their
homes from barm. Well, the- visit has
has been returned! John Brown selected
that very county as the spot for his inva
sion; and as was mentioned in the Senate,
the rock where Seeman fell was the very
rock over w hich Morgan and his men mar
ched a fow hours after Hugh Stevenson's
command had crossed the river some two
tnilus further up.
May this historical reminiscence rekin
dle the embers of patriotism in our hearts!
Why should this nation of ours be rent
in pieces by this irrepressiblo conflict?
The battle will not be fought out here.
When the dark day comes, as come it
may, when this question that agitates the
hearts of the people can only bo decided
by tho bloody arbitrament of the sword,
it will be the saddest day for us and all
mankind that the sun of heaven has ever
shone upon.
I trust, Mr. Clerk, that this discussion
will now cease. I trust that all will make
an effort by balloting, and by a succession
of ballotings, to organize this House. I
trust that we will go on in our efforts,
day after-day, until wedo effect an organ
ization, and proceed to perform tho duties
which we were sent here to discharge; that
the great heart-of our country will cease
to pulsate with the anxiety which now cau
ses it to throb, and that we will each, in our
oppropiiate spere, do w hat we can to make
ourselves more worthy of tho inestimable
blessings w hich can only be enjoyed by a
free and united people.
. -
A gentleman missod two pounds of very
fine butter which he had kept for a special
occasion, and charged the cook with hav
ing stolen it. She declared the kitten had
eaten it, and that she had just caught ber
finishing the last morsel. The gentleman
immediately put the kitten in the scales,
and found sho weighed only a pound and
a half. The cook thus confounded, con
fessed the theft.
An old gentleman had three daughters,
all of whom were marriageable. A young
ledow went a wooing the youngest, and
At.ulli, vaI l.ai .nn..nl 1.1,. I.I.m , . f
better or for worse." Upon, application
to the old gentleman for his consent, be
flew into a violent rage, declaring that no
man should "pick his daughters in that
way," and if he wished to get into bis
family, he might marry the oldest, or
lea-e the boose forthwith.
.,0b, dear" blubbered an urchin, who
bad been suffering- under aa application
of , birch, "Qh. my! they tell me that
forty rods make a fnrleng, bnt I can tell
a bigger story than that. Let them get
snob ft plaguy licking as I've bad and
they'll find it tbat o tA ssfcae es
srbor-
Wit and Wisdom.
Why is young lady like ft bill of
change? Because she ought to be settled
whan she arrives at maturity.
"Mr son, wbat would you do if yonr
doar father was suddenly taken from you?
"Swear and cbaw tobackerl"
Thi phrase "down in the month' it
aid to have beea originated by Jonah
about the time the wHtlo swallowed him.
The difference between post-ofEc
stamp and ft donkey is, that yon stick on
with a lick, and the other you lick with
stick.
A aor in Paris, bearing tbe National
Guard cry "Hurrah for reform!" shouted,
"Hurrah for chloroform!" which mad ft
hearty laugh. 1 . .
Thi you.ig lady who ew a baby with
out kissiug it, has acknowledged that ber
friend's bonnet is more handsome thao
her own.
Lord! said Mrs. Partington, "what
monsters these cotton planters must be.
1 am told some of 'em have as many
one hundred hands!"
Conundrum. Why is ft woman like ft
steamboat? We suppose it is because its
costs fortune to rig her, and because ft
man is liable to get blown up at any time.
What a horrible creature! A bachelor
says he dislikes young married couples
"because they are so apt to give themselves
HEIRS."
A young man in conversation one eve
ning, chanced to remark, "I am no proph
et. "1 rue, replied a lady present, "no
profit to yourself or any qne else."
The Chicago Democrat gives ft list of
the lucky ones who drew prizes at a price
concert and gcavely adds that some fifteen
hundred drew long breaths.
A friend of onrs was congratulating
himself upon having recently taken a very
friendly trip. Upon inquiry, we learned
that he had tripped and fallen into a young
lady's lap.
At a spiritual meeting a short time
since, Balsam was called up and asked if
there were any jackasses in hie sphere?
"No," replied he, indignantly,' "they are
all on earth." -
Three hundred men could not carry
the amount of the national debt of Eng
land counted out in ten pound Bank of
Knglaud notes, notwithstanding the light
ness of the paper they are printed on.
"What shall we uarae our little boy!"
said a young wife to her husband. "Call
him Peter." "Oh, no! I never knew
anybody named Peter that could earn his
salt." "Well, then, call bim Saltpetre."
Said Ton, "Since I have been abroad
I have eaten so nint h pork, that 1 am
ashamed to look a pig in the face!" "I
s'pose, sir, then," said wag who was
then present, "you shave without alass."
"If you marry," said ft Roman consul
to his son, "let it be a woman who has
judgment and industry enough to cook
meal for you, taste enongh to dress neatly,
pride enough to wash before breakfast,
and sense enongh to hold ber tongue.
That was a WAg who said: "When my
wife was very sick, I called in an Allo
pathic physician; but she got no better.
I then called in a Homeopathic, and she
mended a littlo; one bay he broke his leg,
and could not come at all, then she got
well."
A wag in New York, seeing a man dri
ving tack into a card, through the letter
t in the word "Boston" printed on it,
seized the latter and exclaimed: "Why,
what are you about? Don't you know
that laying tax on Ua in Boston ones
raised ft thundering muss there?"
A Partington. Tbe old lady told ft
friend the other day, in strict confidence,
that ft young man of hor acquaintance
had committed infanticide, blowii g bis
brains np, in a'state of delirium tremen
dous, and that the coroner was holding a
conquest over his remains.
A Methodist preacher, dining bis
prayer, preliminary In preaching, whiltf
full of zeal, used the following expression:
"O, Lord, we pray thee to curtail ths
devil's power iu this place!" An old ne
gro, who was always ready for a response,
leaped upon his feet, and exclaimed:
"Amen! dut right Lord! cut the tail tmack
and imoove off!''
A farmer's wife, in speaking of ths
smartness, aptness and intelligence of her
son, a ltvd six years old, to ft lady friend,
said: "He cau read fluently in any part
of the Bible, repeat the whole catechism,
and w eed onions as well as his father."
'Yes, mother," added the yonng hopeful
"and yesterday, I licked Ned Rawson,
throwed the cat into the well and stole'old
Hinckley's gimlet."
"Ai.arama" signifies in the Indian lan
guage, "here we rest." A story is told
of a tribe of Indians who fled from re
lentless foe in the trackless forests in tbe
southwest. Weary and travel-worn, they
reached ft noble river, which flowed
through a beautiful country. The chief
of the band stuck bis tent pole in ths
ground, exclaiming, "Alabama!" Ala
bama!" (Here we shall- rest! bers ws
sh..ll rest!)
A Toper's Soliloqtt. Ths following
soliloquy of toper deserves to be perpet
uated: Leaves have their time to fall,
Aud so likewise have It
Tbe reason too's the same
It oomcs of gutting dry. - ' "
But here's the difference 'twixt leaves
and tue, 1 tails "more harder" and more',
frequently. . -
A clergyman in Soonecticnt was read
ing to his congregation ths beautiful and'
poetical psalm of David, where bs says.
"Meroy and Truth are met together;
Righteousness and Peace bavs kissed sack
other.". At this passage ft little girl in
tbs Assembly mtifsstod ft great interest,
and whispered to her mother. "That's -just
a true as you live; I Me Bigbisoo .
Hill kissing Pesos Pssbod behind the) .
smoke born, lr:t iT i'A ! v'.iVKp.